Vikings: Cordarrelle Patterson to return some preseason kicks

Cordarrelle Patterson has been returning more kicks in practice this week and the wide receiver is poised for his first special-teams look of the preseason Saturday night when the Vikings visit Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium.

"He might," coach Mike Zimmer allowed Wednesday.

Patterson was relegated to the sidelines during Minnesota's first two games against Oakland and Arizona while the team evaluated running backs Jerick McKinnon and Joe Banyard. Wide receiver Jarius Wright also has been returning kicks in practice.

"We want our players to help us win football games anyway we can," Zimmer said. "We want to get the ball in those guys' hands so you'll see Cordarrelle back there, yes."

As a rookie in 2013, Patterson earned Pro Bowl honors during a season in which he returned kickoffs for touchdowns of 109 and 105 yards while leading the NFL with a 32.4-yard return average.